At Benicia Plumbing, we pride ourselves in being an honest and accountable company. We have garnered great reviews for many years for our hard work and quality, but there are some plumbers out there that are a little sketchy.
Before you ever sign on the dotted line with a plumber, perform your due diligence and make certain that you're finding a good plumber for you. We are always willing to answer questions and provide references on request.
Tap Into Your Network
Ask your friends and neighbors who they use for their plumbing needs. Referrals are the lifeblood of many businesses, so if your neighbor has faith in a reputable plumber, or if one name or company is recommended several times, that plumber or company has likely worked hard to earn that trust. If you are new to an area, knocking on your neighbors' doors is a good way to introduce yourself while you find out their recommendations. Additionally, look for user-reviewed websites that chronicle recommendations and frustrations of local service providers.
Do Your Homework
If your plumbing needs aren’t urgent, when you’ve created your short list of plumbers, call the Better Business Bureau to determine if any of the companies on your list has unresolved or a lengthy list of complaints. Find out what types of licenses and requirements are mandated to ensure that whomever you choose meets or exceeds those requirements. For example, in California, a Home Improvement Salesperson license is required for any Technician who signs a Home Improvement Contract, which is required for all jobs that exceed $500 in cost. Certain states also allow you to investigate if there are specific complaints against a plumbing license.
Ask Many Questions
The more questions you ask of a potential plumber, the more knowledge you’ll gain about the specifics of the job, and the fewer surprises you’ll find. Look for a plumber who has been in business at least 5 to 10 years, or who is apprenticed to a seasoned plumber who will accompany him on the job. Ask the plumber if she carries a copy of his licenses with him as well as his insurance, so you can determine he has the knowledge necessary for the job and the protection for your home if anything goes awry.
Get Everything In Writing
When you’ve found a plumber you think you can work with, ask to review her contract before agreeing to any terms, and get his estimate in writing. The estimate should also enumerate each task or supplies required to complete the job. An experienced, reputable plumber should actually insist on this as it protects her as much as it protects you and your home. Don’t forget to ask whether your new plumber will guarantee the job and for how long. Confidence in one’s work generally translates to a guarantee and quality work.
About Benicia Plumbing
At Benicia Plumbing, Inc., we’ve been serving our clients since 1975 and always looking to utilize the latest technology in today’s plumbing world. We are fully licensed and insured. We perform background checks & HIS (Home Improvement Salesperson) registration on all technicians. By providing complete plumbing services to businesses, industry, homebuilders and homeowners throughout the northern California Bay Area, we’ve been able to stay at the forefront of this industry and succeed at a high level.
Sources: SF Gate and Forbes